Advertising device



Dec. 26, 1967 c. F. We ETAL 3,359,670

ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed June 29, 1966 I own/ 0 04w: I BY Mflw \72 M u 61,11 111 aa-- FIG.5

70 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,359,670 ADVERTISING DEVICE Chester F. Pyc, Detroit, and Edward H. Davis, Dearborn, Mich. (both of 33 Eliot St., Detroit, Mich. 48201) Filed June 29, 1966, Ser. No. 561,465 14 Claims. (Cl. 40-129) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An advertising device of the wind spinner type adapted to be mounted on a vehicle antenna and constructed of a single sheet of resilient material such as sheet plastic.

This invention relates to an advertising device and more particularly to an advertising device of the spinner type that is adapted to be mounted for rotation on an upright element such as the radio antenna of an automotive vehicle.

It is common practice for establishments selling used cars to employ advertising devices in the form of banners, spinners, etc. to attract the attention of the public. Frequently such devices are mounted on the radio antenna of the vehicle on display.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an advertising spinner which is of economical construction and is admirably suited for mounting at the upper end of an automotive vehicle antenna so that it will rotate when the wind impinges against it.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an automotive vehicle provided with a radio antenna on which the advertising device of the present invention is mounted.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the advertising device prior to its being assembled.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of the advertising device mounted at the upper end of a radio antenna.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIGURE 5 is a plan View of a modified form of advertising device.

Referring to the drawing and particularly to FIG. 2, the advertising device is preferably formed of a semirigid fiat sheet stock such as plastic, water-proofed fiberboard, etc. It comprises a flat body portion having wings 12 projecting from opposite ends thereof. The end portions of the wings 12 are bent in opposite directions along bend lines 14 at a slight angle to the plane of body portion 10 to form wind flaps 16. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the body portion 10 has a straight upper edge 17 and a lower edge which is defined in part by downwardly and centrally converging edge portions 18.

As is illustrated in FIG. 2, body portion 10 is fashioned with a central tab 20 projecting upwardly from the upper edge 17 and a second central tab 22 projecting downwardly from the lower edge portions 18. Tab 20 is connected with body portion 10 by means of a bend line 24 which may be seared to facilitate bending of the tab. The free end portion of tab 20 is formed with an aperture 26 therein and a tapered slot 28 extending inwardly from the extreme free edge of the tab. The extreme free end edge of the tab is arcuately shaped as indicated at 30. At each side of tab 20 between aperture 26 and at free end edge 30 the tab is formed with notches 32 which extend generally transversely of the longitudinal axis of the tab. Adjacent the edge 18 body portion 10 is formed with a slot 36 vertically aligned with tab 20. Slot 36 extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tab 20 and is disposed substantially closer to bend line 24 than are the p slots 32. The width of slot 36 is somewhat less than the width of tab 20.

Tab 22 is shaped similarly to tab 20. Tab 22 is connected with body portion 10 by a bend line 38 which may be seared if desired. Adjacent bend line 38 tab 22 is formed with a relatively large aperture 40 and adjacent the free end of tab 22 it is formed with aperture 42. Aperture 42 is smaller than aperture 40 and substantially the same size as aperture 26 on tab 20. The extreme free end edge of tab 22 is arcuately shaped as indicated at 43 and is connected with aperture 42 by a tapered slot 44. Tab 22 is likewise formed with notches 46 at each side thereof intermediate the length of tapered slot 44. Body portion 10 is formed with a second slot 47 therein which is vertically aligned with slot 36. The length of slots 36 and 46 is preferably only slightly greater than the width of tabs 20, 22 as measured between the inner ends of slots 32 and 46 respectively.

The device shown in FIG. 2 is adapted to be mounted at the upper end of a radio antenna such as is illustrated at 48. Antenna 48, as is conventional, projects upwardly from a portion of a vehicle 50 such as the fender or the like. At its upper end antenna 48 is fashioned with an enlarged spherical head 52. The advertising device of this invention, which is generally designated by numeral 53 in FIGS. 1 and 3, is adapted to be assembled with antenna. 48 in a very similar manner. The two tabs 20, 22 are first bent toward the same side of body portion 10 about the respective bend lines 24, 38 respectively. The tabs are initially bent so that they assume a position generally perpendicular to the plane of 'body 10. Aperture 40 in tab 22 is then slipped over the upper enlarged end 52 of antenna 48 and the device is lowered on the antenna until the spherical head 52 engages the bent tab 20. Thereafter the free end portion of each tab is turned inwardly toward the plane of body 10 so as to form each tab into a generally D-shaped loop. In so doing vertically spaced portions of the antenna 48 are guided through the tapered slots 38, 44 and snapped into apertures 26, 42. Thus the upper end portion of antenna 48 passes through aperture 26 and an intermediate portion of antenna 48 extends upwardly through aperture 40 and aperture 42, which apertures are vertically aligned. The extreme free ends of the tabs are then inserted through slots 36, 46 so that notches 32 of tab 20 are engaged with slot 36 and notches'46 of tab 22 are engaged with slot 47. When assembled in this -manner and as shown in FIG. 1, each tab for-ms a loop on one side of body portion 10 and the radio antenna 48 extends upwardly through the lower loop 54 formed by tab 22 with its upper end disposed within the upper loop 56 formed by tab 20. The imperforate portion of tab 20 axially aligned with aperture 26 which is generally designated 58 forms a bearing surface for the spherical enlargement 52 at the upper end of antenna 48.

The inner ends of slots 36, 47 are narrower than the cross section of antenna 48 and apertures 26, 42 have dimensions only slightly larger than the cross section of antenna 48. Thus these apertures serve to retain the advertising device 53 on the antenna and permit it to rotate smoothly about a generally vertically extending axis. The wings 16 on the device insure its rotation in even a slight Wind because of the minimum of friction between the device and the antenna 48. It will be appreciated that although the enlargement 52 at the upper end of the antenna bears against the bearing portion 58 of the upper loop 56, it oifers very little resistance to rotation.

In FIG. 5 there is illustrated a modified form ofadvertising device constructed in accordance with the present invention which includes a body portion 60 formed with wind flaps 62, 64 bent in opposite directions similar to the wind flaps 16 previously described. From the central portion of the upper edge 66 of body portion 60 there extends a tab 68, A tab 70 extends centrally from the lower edge 72 of body portion 66. Tab 68 has a rounded free end 7d which is separated from the remainder of the tab by a pair of notches 76 at each side thereof which are similar to the notches 32 of the previously described embodiment. Inwardly of notches 76 tab 63 is fashioned with a small aperture 78. Aperture 78 has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the enlargement 52 at the upper end of antenna 48. A plurality of radially extending slits 3t) intersect aperture 7 8 so as to permit the aperture to enlarge and pass enlargement 52 when forced over the upper end of the antenna.

Body portion 60 is formed with a slot 82 therein having inclined end portions 84. The length of slot 82, including the inclined end portions 84, corresponds generally with the width of tab 63. The straight central portion 86 of slot 82 has a length which corresponds generally with the ;v6idth of tab 68 between the inner opposed ends of notches Tab 76 has a length substantially less than tab 68 and, as illustrated, is provided with a single aperture 88 of a size sufficient to pass the enlarged end 52 of antenna 48.

In assembling the device shown in FIG. 5, tab 68 is bent inwardly in the form of a loop to engage notches 7 6 in the slot 52 in body portion 60. The free end of tab 68 is adapted to be inserted through slot 82 by springing the opposite side edge portions upwardly into positions registering with the inclined portions 84 of notch 82. After insertion these side edge portions spring back to a flat condition to prevent withdrawal of the tab from slot 82. The lower tab 70 is merely bent at right angles to the plane of body 60. When tabs 68 and 70 are looped and bent, respectively, as described, aperture 88 is axially aligned with aperture 78. The advertising device is then assembled with the antenna 48 by passing the lower tab 70 downwardly over the enlarged end 52 of the antenna, The enlarged end 52 of the antenna is then pressed upwardly through the expandable aperture 78 in tab 68. The imperforate portion 90 of tab 68 thus forms a bearing surface for the upper end of the antenna in the same manner as described in connection with the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 may be provided with a short lower tab similar to tab 70, rather than the longer tab illustrated which is formed into a loop. Likewise, it will be appreciated that in the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 the upper tab 20 may be constructed in a manner similar to the tab 68 of FIG. 5.

Thus it will be seen that we have provided an advertising device which can be manufactured economically, which is attractive and which can be mounted very easily at the upper end of a radio antenna on a vehicle. By forming the device of a plastic material, mylar for example, it is not subject to deterioration because of atmospheric conditions. It will retain its shape indefinitely and the construction and assembly of the laterally extending tabs are such that the device is not apt to be blown off or otherwise dislodged from the antenna accidentally.

We claim:

1. An article of manufacture for use as a spinner at the upper end of an upright element such as a radio antenna on an automotive vehicle comprising a body formed of a bendable self-supporting sheet material having means thereon for causing the spinner to rotate when wind impinges against it, said body having adjacent a pair of opposite edges a pair of bendable tabs for mounting the spinner for rotation on said antenna, said tabs projecting laterally outwardly from said edges of the body, one of the said tabs being bent so that at least a portion thereof extends in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of said body and having an opening in said portion, the other tab being bent inwardly toward the plane of the body in the manner of a loop with the free end of the tab removably interconnected with saidbody, said last-mentioned tab having an opening therein which is axially aligned with the opening in the other tab, said openings being adapted to receive an antenna therethrough, the portion of the looped tab aligned axially with the opening therein being adapted to serve as a bearing portion for the end of the antenna.

2. An article of manufacture as called for in claim 1 wherein the opening in said looped tab has a diameter substantially smaller than the opening in said one tab.

3. An article of manufacture as called for in claim 2 wherein said looped tab is provided with a plurality of slits therein extending radially to the edge of the opening therein so as to permit passing through said opening an antenna having an enlargement at its free end which has a diameter greater than said last-mentioned opening.

4. An article of manufacture as called for in claim 3 wherein said looped tab is notched at opposite side edges thereof, said body being provided with a slot therein having a straight central portion and inclined end portions, said slot being adapted to receive the free end portion of the looped tab when the latter is bent to conform to the configuration of said slot.

5. An article of manufacture as called for in claim 1 wherein said one tab is also bent in the form of a loop with its free end secured to said body, said last-mentioned tab having a pair of openings therein aligned axially with the opening in said one tab.

6. An article as called for in claim 1 wherein the free end of said looped tab is connected to the body at a location inwardly from the point of connection of the tab with the body.

7. An article as called for in claim 1 wherein the free end of said looped tab is notched and the body is formed with a slot to receive and retain the notched end of the tab.

8. An article as called for in claim 1 wherein the free end portion of said looped tab is provided with a pair of opposed notches extending inwardly from opposite side edges of the tab, said body having a slot therein in which the notched end of the tab is engageable to hold the tab in said looped condition.

9. An article as called for in claim 8 wherein the slot in the body has a length generally equal to the width of that portion of looped tab between said notches.

It An article as called for in claim 8 wherein said looped tab has a slot at the free end thereof extending inwardly longitudinally of the tab past the notches in the side edges of the tab to facilitate insertion of the free end of the tab into said slot.

11. An article as called for in claim 10 wherein the longitudinally extending slot extends to and connects with the opening in the looped tab so that the opening in the looped tab can be dimensioned slightly larger than the diameter of the portion of the antenna adapted to extend through said last-mentioned opening even though the free end of the antenna may have an enlargement thereon.

12. In combination, a vehicle having a generally vertically extending radio antenna or the like, a spinner mounted for rotation at the upper end of the antenna in response to impingement of air currents against the spinner, said spinner having a body formed of generally rigid sheet material extending in a generally vertical plane, said body having a pair of laterally extending tabs projecting from the upper and lower edges-thereof substantially midway between the opposite ends of the body, the upper tab being bent downwardly and inwardly in the form of a loop with its free end secured to the body, the lower tab being bent upwardly so that at least a portion thereof lies on a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of said body, said loop having an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion, said portion of the lower tab having an opening therein through which the antenna extends vertically, the lower wall portion of the upper tab having an opening therein aligned axially with the opening in the lower tab and through which the upper end of the antenna extends,

5 the portion of the upper Wall of the loop aligned axially with the opening in the lower wall of the loop forming a bearing surface for the extreme upper end of the antenna and means on said body for causing the spinner to rotate in response to impingement of air currents against it.

13. The combination called for in claim 12 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a pair of wing members at opposite ends of the body inclined to the plane of the body in opposite directions.

14. The combination called for in claim 12 wherein the upper end of the antenna is provided with an enlargement thereon, the opening in the lower tab being of a size to pass the enlargement and the opening in the upper tab being of a size smaller than the enlargement,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,851,806 3/1932 Brown 4653 3,107,648 10/1963 Lundstrom 116173 10 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

R. W. WEIG, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE FOR USE AS A SPINNER AT THE UPPER END OF PIN UPRIGHT ELEMENT SUCH AS A RADIO ANTENNA ON AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE COMPRISING A BODY FORMED OF A BENDABLE SELF-SUPPORTING SHEET MATERIAL HAVING MEANS THEREON FOR CAUSING THE SPINNER TO ROTATE WHEN WIND IMPINGES AGAINST IT, SAID BODY HAVING ADJACENT A PAIR OF OPPOSITE EDGES A PAIR OF BENDABLE TABS FOR MOUNTING THE SPINNER FOR ROTATION ON SAID ANTENNA, SAID TABS PROJECTING LATERALLY OUTWARDLY FROM SAID EDGES OF THE BODY, ONE OF THE SAID TABS BEING BENT SO THAT AT LEAST A PORTION THEREOF EXTENDS IN A PLANE GENERALLY PERPENDICUALR TO THE PLANE OF SAID BODY AND HAVING AN OPENING IN SAID PORTION, THE OTHER TAB BEING BENT INWARDLY TOWARD THE PLANE OF THE BODY IN THE MANNER OF A LOOP WITH THE FREE END OF THE TAB REMOVABLY INTERCONNECTED WITH SAID BODY, SAID LAST-MENTIONED TAB HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN WHICH IS AXIALLY ALIGNED WITH THE OPENING IN THE OTHER TAB, SAID OPENINGS BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AN ANTENNA THERETHROUGH, THE PORTION OF THE LOOPED TAB ALIGNED AXIALLY WITH THE OPENING THEREIN BEING ADAPTED TO SERVE AS BEARING PORTION FOR THE END OF THE ANTENNA. 